A correlation has been made between frequent use of social media sites and body image concerns in the younger adult population. These are across the boards regarding race, gender, age, and income. Researchers utilized a questionnaire with individuals between the ages of 19-32 regarding their use of 11 popular social media outlets. Individuals who spent more time linked with social media throughout the day has a two fold risk of body image concerns related to anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. The correlation may be related to the surfing on social media posts with advertisements, celebrity news, and such that they may relate to their own perception of their body. Further research is needed in this arena to determine a stronger link.
Key Points:
- 1The main idea of this article is, “Habitual and prolonged use of social media is linked to a greater risk of younger adults developing eating and body image concerns, according to a new study.”
- 2Consistent links found within these groups: gender, specific age, race, and income…all demographic groups were equally affected by the link between social media and eating and body image concerns.”
- 3More research is needed to develop effective interventions. Specifically, studies that follow users of social media over time that seek to answers cause-and-effect questions for development eating and body image problems
The participants who spent the most time on social media throughout the day had 2.2 times the risk of reporting eating and body image concerns, compared to their peers who spent less time on social media.
Read the full article at: https://psychcentral.com/news/2016/05/12/heavy-social-media-use-ups-risk-of-body-image-worries/103192.html
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